Bills Tackle Henderson Appealing Four-Game Suspension

Having spent the past four months showing he’s capable of keeping the effects of Crohn’s disease in check, Bills offensive tackle Seantrel Henderson faces yet another hurdle in attempting to resume his career.

Henderson is appealing the NFL’s four-game suspension for violating the league’s substance abuse policy after testing positive for marijuana, a person with direct knowledge of the situation confirmed to The Associated Press on Wednesday. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the suspension is being appealed and the NFL has not announced its ruling.

The person said Henderson’s appeal is based on him using marijuana for medicinal purposes to relieve the effects of Crohn’s disease. Henderson was diagnosed with the inflammatory bowel disease late last year, and has since had two operations on his intestines. The first operation occurred in January, when doctors removed a section of diseased tissue. In April, he had surgery to have his intestine reattached.

Several studies have found marijuana can be an effective treatment for people diagnosed with Crohn’s disease.

In New York, the state’s medical marijuana program specifically lists patients diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease as being potentially eligible to obtain medical marijuana.